Firefighters battle 2-alarm fire at Moorestown Community House

MOORESTOWN, N.J. (WPVI) -- Firefighters battled a two-alarm fire in at the Moorestown Community House in Moorestown, New Jersey Tuesday night.

Chopper 6 was over the scene shortly after the fire broke at 16 East Main Street right before 5:00 p.m. Tuesday.

"When we arrived our initial crews found heavy black smoke pouring from the second floor on the front side of the building and fire that was extending up into the attic," Moorestown Fire Deputy Chief Chris Chesner said.

Within minutes, a second alarm had to be called bringing in extra firefighters from surrounding communities.

Many residents rushed to the scene when they heard the historic building was on fire.

"I had to come down. This is Moorestown. That building is Moorestown," resident Bernadette Constantine said.

It took firefighters more than an hour to bring the fire under control.

The building was established in 1926 as a nonprofit community center by Eldrige Johnson one of the founders of RCA who lived down the street.

"It's been the center of town," Glen Henkel said.

Officials say it may be some time before the building is up and running again.

"Right now there is considerable amount of damage and with the water damage from the firefighting efforts, it will be some time before they're back and operational," Chesner said.